India: 1.25MW Rooftop solar project in campus

Tata Power Solar and SASTRA University has announced the successful completion of a 1.25 MW rooftop solar power project. This rooftop solar project at SASTRA University’s Thanjavur and Kumbakonam campus was inaugurated last week by His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of India.

As part of this project, SASTRA has signed a power purchase agreement with Tata Power Trading Company Limited (TPTCL). As the project’s investors, TPTCL will sell power generated from the plant to SASTRA for a 15 year tenure.

Speaking on the project, Dr. S. Vaidhyasubramaniam, Dean – Planning & Development, SASTRA University said “We continuously look at projects which will promote our renewable energy focus, and are glad to partner with Tata Power Solar and TPTCL to execute this landmark project for us. They have delivered on the promise of the brand TATA”.

Commissioned as a part of the university’s green energy efforts, these solar plants will offset 30% of the university’s total energy consumption. These plants will generate, cumulatively, nearly 20 lakhs kWh energy annually and will reduce more than 1600 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission.

“We are proud to help SASTRA University harness its energy needs in a green and sustainable manner. Fostering the need and importance of renewable energy at an academic level is critical, and initiatives such as these help us contribute to India’s solar journey.” said Ashish Khanna, ED & CEO, Tata Power Solar.

Commenting on the project, Sanjeev Mehra, MD, TPTCL said “We are pleased to have partnered with SASTRA on this strategic asset investment in rooftop solar and also to move ahead on our renewable and sustainability objective. We are pleased with the cooperation received from SASTRA in the realization of this rooftop solar power project. With India’s increased focus on solar energy we are confident that this investment will play a crucial role in propelling the growth.”

Setup on 11 buildings across the two campuses, these plants come with in-built grid interactive string inverters to better efficiency upto 98% and reduce losses. To further minimize transmission and distribution losses, power generated by each individual rooftop plant will be used by the same building. These installations have been made with customized RCC and GI sheets to maximize energy generation and capacity utilization.